Key Feature

LEADERSHIP FLExIbILIty ADAPtAbILIty CRItICAL tHInkIng

There are a lot of unknowns about what the world will look like post-coronavirus, but one thing is certain – life won’t return to how we once knew it. But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing, so says Stephanie lukins.

Critical SkillS You’ll Need to Succeed in a Post-Coronavirus Business World

tECH SAvvy CommunICAtIon EmotIonAL IntELLIgEnCE CREAtIvIty AnD InnovAtIon

There are a lot of unknowns about what the world will look like post-coronavirus, but one thing is certain – life won’t return to how we once knew it. But that doesn’t have to be a bad thing.

As novel job opportunities begin to emerge, what can you do to make sure you’re a strong candidate if you have to navigate the competitive job market? A report by Deloitte Access Economics considers two-thirds of all jobs by 2030 will be made up of soft-skill-intensive occupations, so developing and enhancing these is key.

LEADERSHIP

Don’t believe that only managers should possess leadership skills – anyone can demonstrate good leadership.

Having good leadership skills is about communicating your own vision for yourself while encouraging others and embracing feedback from colleagues and superiors. Being self-aware and holding yourself accountable is particularly important during these challenging times.

FLExIbILITY AnD ADAPTAbILITY

Being flexible and adaptable is something we’ve all had to get used to over the last few months. But it’s also a crucial

skill that every employer will be keeping an eye out for.

As businesses worldwide see a stark rise in the number of employees being able to work from home, it’s likely this new way of working will last even after the pandemic passes.

While being flexible in work was once aligned with geographic mobility, it is now about having an open mindset, being able to work well under pressure, adjusting to new and unexpected deadlines, prioritizing tasks and, in some instances taking on additional responsibilities.

CRITICAL THInKInG

In an era where navigating fake news and contrasting data is a daily struggle, it’s critical that you’re able to think clearly and rationally as you objectively evaluate information in order to make informed decisions.

Good critical thinkers ask questions that can help them dig a little deeper. Questions such as: “what’s happening?”, “why is this important?”, “who is being affected?”, “where did the information come from?”, “can I be sure about the source?”.

TECH SAvvY

Even before coronavirus the growing digital skills gap was apparent across business worldwide. In fact, 82 percent of job vacancies now require digital skills of some kind.

The pandemic has accelerated the desperate need for specialist digital skillsets to help businesses become more aligned with today’s myriad technologies and platforms.

With the Fourth Industrial Revolution on the horizon, investment not just in technologies but in people who understand technology is essential.

Although it’s unlikely that you’ll need to know every system or platform, demonstrating a solid understanding AI and your role will help catapult your profile above the rest.

COMMunICATIOn EMOTIOnAL InTELLIGEnCE

Communication and social intelligence go hand-in-hand and there is still a need for genuine human connection and understanding in every job role.

To have good emotional intelligence is to be aware of, and demonstrate empathy for, others’ emotions and behaviours which is crucial, especially when people are feeling uneasy. And this is also where good communication skills are critical; as many of us continue to work from home, clarity in emails and at virtual meetings is a must to cement trust and retain high productivity levels.

CREATIvITY AnD InnOvATIOn

While we’ve seen machines and digital technologies take on roles in analytics and business operations, human beings are still unique in being able to think outside the box.

Creativity is not only associated with typically creative professions either – it is essential across every industry and sector. In the coming years, the workplace landscape is going to need to evolve and adapt rapidly, and so are you.

Stephanie Lukins. As the Head of Sponsored Content for TopUniversities.com and TopMBA. com, Stephanie creates and publishes a wide range of articles for universities and business schools across the world. She attended the University of Portsmouth where she earned a BA in English Language and an MA in Communication and Applied Linguistics.

https://www.topuniversities.com/ student-info/careers-advice/9skills-youll-need-succeed-postcoronavirus-business-world

Post-article reflections of the skills mentioned above, which are your strongest right now, and which not? Which do you think could be critical for you for the near future? How much have you already prepared for to cope with life as new realties unroll before your eyes?

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